MK very crowded tonight, but hey let's close at 11:00

[jaceraden]

Eta: smilie fail

 

[kaytieeldr]

Plain and simple, Disney thought the After Hours event was going to take off and most, if not all, of these 11 o'clock closings were set to accommodate that. When that experiment failed, Disney decided not to extend the hours for whatever reason (maybe pride, maybe i'll show you).

The last limited-run DAH was three weeks ago. Plenty of time for Disney to analyze results and extend park hours even further if they had chosen.

 

[bumbershoot]

And it's not like the higher-ups can look at MK at 7:30 pm and say, "Gosh, it's more crowded than we'd planned. Better stay open two or three hours later. Get in touch with every single CM and let them know that they're staying for hours later than planned."

FWIW, DisneyLAND totally does that. Suddenly signs will go up with the later hour on it, CMs start getting the word to people, etc.

I'm just saying this because it's hard for me to go accepting a 2.5 hour line for a ride is "normal" (which I know it is...... nowadays).

What's this "nowadays" business? Did you not ever go to a Disney park in the 80s? I remember WELL waiting for Space Mountain in Anaheim for more than 2 hours. Hot, boring, and soooo worth it for me and my brother. Just b/c we had a decade or so of lighter times doesn't mean it's something new, to have long wait times.

After years of staying open until midnight (at least) during the summer, there is NOTHING in the data that Disney has that would suggest an 11 o'clock closing should be well received by the customer base.

Psst. Totally NOT actually summer yet.

 

[bryanb]

Sorry that the vacation was ruined.

 

[Evoga]

95% of all schools in the country are out now - I would just be glad it's not verging on a 9. And it's not like the higher-ups can look at MK at 7:30 pm and say, "Gosh, it's more crowded than we'd planned. Better stay open two or three hours later. Get in touch with every single CM and let them know that they're staying for hours later than planned."

I've seen much longer waits for Mine Train and Buzz in October.

Am I wrong as I thought a long time ago they used to do this. I thought I recalled them extending the hours on the day in the 90s, hard to remember as been so many times.

And I do agree with the OP. Been going for such a long time but now the value is decreasing with the parks way too crowded and extremely long wait times coupled with prices rising too fast but quality not matching. First time ever we are thinking and looking for somewhere else to vacation in the USA for two weeks (love the American people).

 

[winterwhite]

Disney World apologists and experts are the best.

Y'all stay classy and keep feeding that greedy mouse. This dude is out.

I mean, I have my issues with Disney, but all this over one hour of park time seems a bit melodramatic.

But I think that about all these people freaking out about summer hours.

 

[JimmyBean42]

I mean, I have my issues with Disney, but all this over one hour of park time seems a bit melodramatic.

But I think that about all these people freaking out about summer hours.

Extremely dramatic. OP is like the person who goes to Best Buy at midnight on Black Friday to get a TV and shocked there is a line.

 

[Nancyg56]

What's this "nowadays" business? Did you not ever go to a Disney park in the 80s? I remember WELL waiting for Space Mountain in Anaheim for more than 2 hours. Hot, boring, and soooo worth it for me and my brother. Just b/c we had a decade or so of lighter times doesn't mean it's something new, to have long wait times.

OH I totally remember thos good old days!!! Horrible! And if you want you can get me complaining about the food. Remember the baskets?

I mean, I have my issues with Disney, but all this over one hour of park time seems a bit melodramatic.

But I think that about all these people freaking out about summer hours.

The OP has been complaining about the park hours since the Extra Magic Hours were announced, even when it was clear that the additional people would not impact crowds. I have no idea if DIsney will stay open til Mdnight as Summer crowds increase, and have never paid attention to when they are normally extended, other than on my own trips. I watch the extended hours because they are a red flag to me that it will be moe crowded that day, not because I want to utilize them. I never can stay awake that late!

 

[mom2mickeyfan]

We were there last night and it was still pretty crowded at 11:00. We traveled the same week last year and both MK days had a midnight closing. I was thinking one of those days got extended to 1:00 a.m. on the day of.

 

[jknc]

Extremely dramatic. OP is like the person who goes to Best Buy at midnight on Black Friday to get a TV and shocked there is a line.

Apparently neither yourself or the minions who liked your post get it. This isn't my first Disney rodeo, bro.

I expected long lines.

 

[jknc]

I mean, I have my issues with Disney, but all this over one hour of park time seems a bit melodramatic.

But I think that about all these people freaking out about summer hours.

2 hours, not 1.

 

[jbish]

95% of all schools in the country are out now

I truly find this statement to be so bizarre and I couldn't let it go. Where is it that you got that 95% of all schools in the US are already out as of June 9th? I'm pretty sure all of the major school districts in the DC metro area are all still in session. We have our last day on Tuesday, June 14th and we are one of the first to finish. The largest school district in this region (and like the 12th largest in the US) has its last day on June 24th.

We leave for WDW on the 13th and hoping to get a little jump on the summer crowds. And just checking some of the largest school systems in the country, most are still in session (NYC, LA, Chicago). Just curious how you can paint such a broad brush. I would think if 95% of all school are already in summer, we'd be at a 9 crowd, not a 7.

Sorry - totally off topic but I just couldn't let it go. But I will now. LOL

 

[ArwenMarie]

Sorry to hear OP! Our worst trip ever was in June one year. Extremely hot and crowded. I know people up here have an idea that Florida is not as hot the earlier in the summer you go (which is not true, at some point hot is hot) so a lot of people go round right after school ends.

 

[mom2rtk]

I truly find this statement to be so bizarre and I couldn't let it go. Where is it that you got that 95% of all schools in the US are already out as of June 9th? I'm pretty sure all of the major school districts in the DC metro area are all still in session. We have our last day on Tuesday, June 14th and we are one of the first to finish. The largest school district in this region (and like the 12th largest in the US) has its last day on June 24th.

We leave for WDW on the 13th and hoping to get a little jump on the summer crowds. And just checking some of the largest school systems in the country, most are still in session (NYC, LA, Chicago). Just curious how you can paint such a broad brush. I would think if 95% of all school are already in summer, we'd be at a 9 crowd, not a 7.

Sorry - totally off topic but I just couldn't let it go. But I will now. LOL

Lots of east coast schools are just finishing up, but lots of other schools have been out for some time. Here in the Midwest, my daughter has been out for 3 weeks already.

As long as big blocks of schools are out, crowds will be high.

 

[TiggerBouncy]

If they extended hours every time that happened, they'd never close.

24/7 MK. It's coming some day.

 

[mom2rtk]

24/7 MK. It's coming some day.

I think that has been building for some time. None of us knows if attendance is up, down, flat or even. But I would lay money that attendance in the MK has continued to rise sharply. (Even if overall attendance is down). Sadly, part of the reason for that has been many years of neglect in the other parks.

 

[Shanti]

24/7 MK. It's coming some day.

Sorry to hijack, but I'd like to say that I'd love to attend a 24-hour MK event! Never had the chance before.

OP, I'm sorry you had a bad time today!

 

[Jadyreen1282]

I still think you should go back when you have grand kids. Just sayin.

I fed the mouse again this morning.

 

[TiggerBouncy]

I think that has been building for some time. None of us knows if attendance is up, down, flat or even. But I would lay money that attendance in the MK has continued to rise sharply. (Even if overall attendance is down). Sadly, part of the reason for that has been many years of neglect in the other parks.

Most definitely MK is up over the past 10 years - more so with the recent expansions. HS will likely be up after all the refurbs.

I was being partly tongue in cheek about 24/7 MK though. The park itself as I understand it IS a 24/7 operation with it being very busy during the night hours for cleaning, maintenance, etc. Not saying it couldn't be done, but I doubt it's as easy as just hiring another shift - when would they spray the walkways and buildings without 'ruining the magic'? No doubt Disney could find a way; but I think it would be challenging for them to make it a true 24/7 operation.

 

[mom2rtk]

Most definitely MK is up over the past 10 years - more so with the recent expansions. HS will likely be up after all the refurbs.

I was being partly tongue in cheek about 24/7 MK though. The park itself as I understand it IS a 24/7 operation with it being very busy during the night hours for cleaning, maintenance, etc. Not saying it couldn't be done, but I doubt it's as easy as just hiring another shift - when would they spray the walkways and buildings without 'ruining the magic'? No doubt Disney could find a way; but I think it would be challenging for them to make it a true 24/7 operation.

With attendance up at the MK, I'm quite disappointed that hours appear to be down this year. They don't have to be open 24/7, but it would be nice if they were open at least as late as prior years (when they possibly had less attendance?)